Americans entered September feeling less comfortable about their finances, and that mood could affect decisions about cars, appliances, travel, home projects, and other expensive purchases. A September Catawba College-YouGov survey found that 74% of Americans felt financial pressure from rising prices, while 68% said higher prices had caused them to cut back on regular purchases.
That does not automatically mean every big purchase deserves a delay. A household can feel uneasy and still have plenty of room in its budget for something it needs. The more useful question involves the purchase itself: Does waiting protect the household, or could waiting create another expense?
